Grinder-pump issue tops Chelmsford TM warrant

CHELMSFORD -- Homeowners who for years have paid out of their own pockets to repair or replace their specialized sewer pumps may get a reprieve if Town Meeting votes to have those costs assumed by the whole town.

That proposal is the most anticipated of 27 articles for the meeting, which starts Monday and would continue to Thursday if all items aren't addressed.

Among other anticipated votes is a proposed fiscal 2015 budget of nearly $115 million that would include a deficit of about $560,000. The plan, which has received some criticism, is meant to properly account for employee retirement costs, Town Manager Paul Cohen, who put the budget together, has said.

Free cash is anticipated to become available at the end of the current fiscal year that would allow the town to close the gap. Cohen has said the budget deficit would show true costs for "other post-employment benefits," known as OPEB costs. The budget is not required to be balanced until tax rates are set near the end of the calendar year.

The proposed budget sets aside $1 million to cover the town's OPEB liabilities, which are estimated at $82 million long-term.

The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee have recommended the budget, though not unanimously.

Overall spending would rise by more than $2.6 million, or nearly 2.4 percent, if the budget is approved. A separate capital budget of about $3 million includes $1.

Advertisement

2 million for a new fire engine, along with various school and public-works repairs, among others.

The potential for expanding the Sewer Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of so-called grinder pumps is expected to cause the most debate.

Earlier this month, a committee appointed by selectmen recommended the town pick up costs for repairing, replacing and maintaining pumps for about 500 homes in town.

Homeowners have always been responsible for those costs, but if approved by Town Meeting, those costs would be borne by the whole town.

The Grinder Pump Study Committee estimated those costs to be $289,000 annually if the town hires a company to handle the work. The town previously estimated those costs to be at least $1 million, as well as other costs for evaluating systems, legal fees, easements and other expenses.

Homeowners with grinder pumps in recent years have paid $50 to $75, the committee said.

The meeting warrant also includes zoning articles related to affordable housing, flooding zones and master planning for the town center.

Town Meeting will also include a report by a committee formed by then-Moderator Richard DeFreitas to look into ways to change the way the meeting is run. New Moderator Jon Kurland said while campaigning he plans to adopt the recommended changes.

A report released by the committee suggests using only one microphone for meeting representatives instead of two -- one for proponents and another for opponents -- ending a procedure that had been unique to Chelmsford's Town Meeting.

Another unique aspect of the meeting, a question-and-answer segment separate from debate, was recommended to remain. But greater enforcement of keeping questions purely to factual information and not meant to prove a point or be argumentative is important, the committee said.

Among other recommendations, the committee said similar meeting articles could be grouped to make the meeting run more efficiently.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.